The Dollar saw a significant increase in value for the second consecutive week due to a rise in US yields, pushing the USD Index (DXY) beyond the 104.00 level. Both the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE) delivered dovish holds, while the Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced a dovish hike after 17 years. This shift in central bank policies had a noticeable effect on the currency markets.
In the upcoming week, there are several key economic indicators to watch out for. The Chicago Fed National Activity Index and New Home Sales data will be released on March 25, followed by Durable Goods Orders, the FHFA House Price Index, and the Consumer Confidence report by the Conference Board on March 26. On March 28, the final Q4 GDP Growth Rate will be published, along with Pending Home Sales, Initial Jobless Claims, and the Michigan Consumer Sentiment index. Finally, on March 29, the focus will be on the PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditure) data, Personal Income, Personal Spending, and Trade Balance results.
The EUR/USD pair experienced a decline and tested the 1.0800 level as the Dollar strengthened. German economic data, such as the GfK Consumer Confidence and various sentiment indicators, will play a role in the pair’s movements. GBP/USD faced downward pressure and approached the 200-day SMA near 1.2590, especially as the UK prepares to release its Q4 GDP Growth Rate data on March 28.
USD/JPY maintained its upward momentum and traded above 151.00, benefiting from the weakness of the Japanese yen. The Bank of Japan’s upcoming releases, such as the Minutes and the Summary of Opinions, will provide further insight into the country’s economic outlook. Furthermore, data on Housing Starts, Retail Sales, Industrial Production, and the Unemployment Rate will be closely monitored on March 29.
The Australian dollar (AUD) faced pessimism in the latter part of the week, nearing the 0.6500 level. Economic indicators such as the RBA’s Consumer Inflation Expectations and the Westpac Consumer Confidence Index will shed light on the country’s economic sentiment. Additionally, releases like the Westpac Leading Index, Monthly CPI Indicator, Housing Credit, and Retail Sales will impact the AUD/USD pair in the coming days.
Central bank officials, including Fed’s Cook and Bostic, BoE’s Mann, RBA’s Connolly, FOMC’s Waller, BoJ’s Tamura, and Fed Chair Powell, are scheduled to speak during the week. Their statements and insights into monetary policy and economic conditions can influence market sentiment and currency movements.
Economic data releases and central bank announcements play a crucial role in determining the direction of currency pairs. Traders and investors need to stay informed about upcoming events and be prepared for potential market volatility.
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